Bomber case to proceed

COURT proceedings are ready to go ahead against former Essendon premiership captain and AFL coach Mark “Bomber” Thompson, who is facing drugs charges.

Thompson, 55, wasn’t in Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday for the latest mention in his case stemming from three charges of drug trafficking and four counts of drug possession. Defence lawyer Peter Matthews said both sides were ready to proceed to a contested hearing on June 24.

Thompson’s Melbourne home was raided by police in January last year, when officers allegedly found a magnetic lock box containing the drugs MDMA, ice, Xanax and a single LSD tab, along with Thompson’s DNA. Mr Matthews previously told the court the charges would be fought.